How Often Should You Schedule HVAC Maintenance in Ohio?

Maintaining your HVAC system is important for year-round safety and comfort. This is especially so in Ohio, which experiences a varied climate. The average July high is about 84 degrees, while the average January low is 20 degrees, making adequate cooling and heating essential. Preventive maintenance can help you keep your system in top shape, extending its lifespan while preventing unexpected breakdowns.

Why Regular HVAC Maintenance Is Important

Some homeowners don’t schedule HVAC maintenance unless something seems wrong with their system. However, regular inspections and tune-ups can help prevent problems in the first place. It allows our technicians to examine your system, identify any issues, and determine appropriate solutions. This prevents minor problems from developing into severe, costly ones.

Between professional inspections, it’s crucial for homeowners to conduct their own HVAC maintenance. This includes performing self-inspections to pay attention to potential signs of trouble, such as corrosion, foul odors, and unusual noises. During spring, it’s also important to assess your outdoor condenser. Check for physical damage, such as cracks, and clear away any greenery, furniture, or other items from its vicinity. There should be at least five feet of vertical clearance and two feet of horizontal clearance on all sides.

Changing or cleaning the filter is also essential. A clogged filter reduces airflow significantly, which causes the system to work harder to meet your preferred temperature. Turn the system off before you start the task. If you have a reusable filter, take it out of the unit and clean it gently but thoroughly. Let it dry completely before putting it back in. You should repeat this process at least once a month. For disposable filters, take out the dirty filter and put the new one in. Replace it every few months. However, if there are pets, seniors, kids, allergy sufferers, or health-compromised individuals in the home, it’s best to change it monthly.

Improving System Efficiency

Regular maintenance improves system efficiency. When a unit is dirty or experiencing problems, it uses excess energy to operate. This added strain could contribute to higher utility costs and reduce your system’s lifespan.

Extending the Lifespan of Heating and Cooling Equipment

Several factors, including usage habits and seasonal maintenance, can influence your system’s lifespan. With proper care, it could last between 15 and 20 years, if not longer. Preventive measures that help it last as long as possible are more cost-efficient than replacing the unit sooner than necessary.

Preventing Unexpected Breakdowns

The last thing you want on a frigid or hot and humid Ohio day is for your system to unexpectedly break down. Reliable heating and cooling are particularly important if there are seniors, kids, pets, or health-compromised individuals in the home. HVAC maintenance can help prevent this issue, helping you stay comfortable regardless of the outdoor temperatures.

Maintaining Indoor Comfort Throughout the Year

Since Ohio experiences a dramatic shift in temperatures throughout the year, your home needs to be ready for anything. Our HVAC technicians prepare your system to function optimally throughout every season so that you can achieve comfortable and consistent indoor temperatures.

How Often HVAC Maintenance Should Be Scheduled

The maintenance frequency depends on the type of system you have. For example, since heat pumps and ductless mini-splits operate year-round, they need maintenance every six months. However, you can schedule an appointment for a central AC or furnace once a year. Book an appointment in the fall for a furnace and in the spring for a central AC.

Why Biannual HVAC Tune-Ups Are Recommended

Heating and cooling systems experience significant wear and tear throughout each season. During a tune-up, our expert team can easily recognize the warning signs of damage that could negatively impact performance. We’ll determine the ideal solution to restore heating or cooling to your home.

Best Times of Year for HVAC Maintenance in Ohio

We recommend scheduling heating maintenance in the fall to get your system ready for winter. Call us again for air conditioning maintenance in the spring to prepare it for the hot upcoming temperatures. You should also contact us at any point if your system seems to be malfunctioning, such as if it’s short-cycling.

What Happens During Professional HVAC Maintenance

During HVAC maintenance, we start with a comprehensive inspection. This allows us to fully assess your system and understand its current condition. We also perform a wide range of tasks, including cleaning components, lubricating moving parts, and checking electrical wiring. Before completing the appointment, we complete safety and performance checks to make sure your system operates as expected. Our technicians also tighten electrical connections, inspect ignition components on heating systems, and ensure all safety controls are functioning properly.

FAQs

Understanding as much as possible about your HVAC system helps you make informed decisions in the best interest of your comfort. Here are a few common questions our team often receives from locals.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance for Reliable Home Comfort

We take pride in helping homeowners in Dalton, Massillon, and the surrounding areas stay comfortable and safe in their homes. Scheduling seasonal HVAC inspections and tune-ups ensures your system runs optimally, preventing issues and unexpected breakdowns when you need your system the most.

Call Shanklin Heating, Air Conditioning, & Electric today to book HVAC services in Ohio. You can also schedule an appointment online through our website.